The Queen of Spades

Based on a short story by Alexander Pushkin, one of his favourite writers, Tchaikovsky began work on The Queen of Spades in 1889. The penniless soldier Gherman has fallen in love with Liza, even though she is engaged to his friend Yeletsky. Gherman learns that Liza's guardian the Countess knows a winning three-card formula, so he determines to get it, to gain a fortune through gambling and marry Liza. Tragedy ensues and Gherman is haunted by a ghost.